Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: June 27, 2026, 2:31 PM ET

World Cup Group Stage Drama and Knockout Shuffles

The World Cup group stages concluded with several nations clinching knockout berths and others seeing their campaigns end. England confirmed their progression to the knockout stages before their final group game against Panama England qualifyPanama. Meanwhile, Belgium secured top spot in Group G with a dominant 5-1 victory over New Zealand, propelled by a Leandro Trossard brace Trossard doubleLeandro Trossard brace. Spain, despite a narrow 1-0 win over Uruguay, face injury concerns, with winger Yeremy Pino a doubt for the remainder of the tournament with a suspected broken collarbone Pino may misscollarbone. Uruguay's defeat saw them eliminated, marking the end of Marcelo Bielsa's side's World Cup journey Uruguay outCup journey.

Cape Verde continued their fairy tale run, becoming the smallest nation to reach the knockout rounds after a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia secured them second place in Group H Cape Verde reachH. This historic achievement sets up a clash with Argentina. Elsewhere, Iran's hopes of progressing were dashed after a dramatic late goal was controversially overturned in their match against Egypt, with coach Amir Ghalenoei lamenting the team's misfortune Iran coach lamentsthe team's misfortune.

In Group I, France completed a perfect group stage campaign, comfortably beating Norway's reserves 4-1. Ousmane Dembélé was the standout performer, netting a first-half hat-trick Dembélé hat-tricka first-half hat-trick. Norway, having already secured qualification, opted to rest key players including Erling Haaland against France Haaland on benchagainst France. Coach Stale Solbakken stated the decision was a "no-brainer" due to player fatigue Norway coach restsfatigue. The USMNT will face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32 after a late 3-2 defeat to Türkiye in their final group game USMNT to facefinal group game. Co-hosts Canada, despite qualifying, will not play further matches in their home country after losing their final group game to Switzerland Canada qualify butto Switzerland.

Club Transfers and Preparations

Manchester City have made a significant acquisition, signing 19-year-old forward Mathys Detourbet from fellow City Football Group club Troyes Man City signclub Troyes. In other transfer news, Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka Chelsea interestedXhaka. Manchester City are also reportedly in the race for Lille and Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi Man City join racemidfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, and have agreed a club-record deal worth up to £130m for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson City agree feeAnderson. Manchester United are awaiting news on the extent of Manuel Ugarte's injury after the midfielder was stretchered off during Uruguay's World Cup defeat Man Utd waitingdefeat.

Tennis and Golf Updates

Emma Raducanu's Wimbledon preparations have been hampered by injury concerns. She cut short a practice session and cancelled a press conference, raising doubts about her fitness for the tournament Raducanu ends practicethe tournament. Naomi Osaka also withdrew from the Bad Homburg final due to a foot injury, adding to Wimbledon concerns Osaka retiresconcerns. In golf, Ina Yoon extended her lead at the Women's PGA Championship to five strokes after a strong third round Yoon widens leadround.

Horse Racing and Boxing Notes

Estrange delivered a brilliant performance to secure her first Group One victory in the Tattersalls Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh Estrange winsthe Curragh. Meanwhile, Align The Stars pounced late to win the Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate at Newcastle for trainer Charlie Johnston Align The Stars winstrainer Charlie Johnston. In boxing, Oleksandr Usyk has relinquished his world heavyweight championships to "decide for himself" the final chapter of his career Usyk quits beltscareer.

Formula 1 and Other Sports

At the Austrian Grand Prix, George Russell claimed pole position after a confusing finish to qualifying that involved a Max Verstappen crash Russell snatches polecrash. Russell had earlier topped the final practice session, ahead of his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli Russell finds paceAntonelli. Lewis Hamilton expressed hope that strategy could help Ferrari secure victory, though he acknowledged challenging Mercedes would be difficult Hamilton hopefulbe difficult. World championship leader Antonelli and Russell have stated they intend to "race differently" against each other to avoid conceding points to rival teams Mercedes duo racerival teams.

In darts, Luke Humphries retained the US Darts Masters title with a deciding-leg victory over Luke Littler Humphries claimsover Luke Littler. Luke Littler has also spoken out about facing hostile crowds, questioning the point of booing when fans have paid for tickets Littler questionsfor tickets.

In cricket, England are looking to surpass New Zealand's first-innings total on day three of the third Test at Trent Bridge England look toBridge. Ben Duckett and Ben Stokes were instrumental in England's fightback on day two Duckett and Stokesday two. Sri Lanka kept their Women's T20 World Cup semi-final hopes alive with a win over Scotland Sri Lanka keep hopesover Scotland.

In Rugby League, Leeds strengthened their position at the Super League summit with a dominant win over Hull KR Leeds strengthenKR. St Helens have reported Wakefield Trinity to the RFL over claims of a rejected offer for centre Harry Robertson St Helens reportcentre Harry Robertson.

Football League and Managerial Moves

The Scottish Women's Premier League season is set to begin, with champions Hearts hosting Aberdeen SWPL fixturesHearts hosting Aberdeen. Celtic have announced that Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham, and Stephen McManus will continue working under manager Martin O'Neill Celtic reunitemanager Martin O'Neill. In Belgium, Wouter Vranckin has taken charge at Hearts, marking a reinforced data-driven approach for the club Vrancken marksclub. Former West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand has taken his first coaching role at National League side Hornchurch Ferdinand takes roleHornchurch.

The Championship season will open with a fixture between relegated Burnley and West Ham West Ham visitand West Ham. League Two fixtures for the 2026-27 season have also been released League Two fixturesreleased. Ipswich Town Women have signed forward Kit Graham on a two-year contract Graham agrees dealcontract. London City Lionesses have announced defender Poppy Pattinson has extended her contract until summer 2029 Pattinson signs newsummer 2029.

Other News

Chris Gunter returns to Wrexham in charge of the next generation of Welsh talent for the U19 Euros Gunter's journeythe U19 Euros. In a significant move, AC Milan have named Massimo Calvelli as CEO, aiming to "bring a winning culture" back to the club Milan name CEOthe club. Former IBF super-featherweight world champion Joe Cordina has been charged with assault following an incident at a petrol station in February Cordina chargedFebruary. Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold faces charges related to a kidnap plot and armed robbery Lions player Arnoldrobbery.